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Topic: It's All In The Execution (Read 1583 times)

﻿Vixea’nkitie sat at one of the Sancrist’s tables poring over a thick book of parchment. She hastilyscribbled figures down then matched them up with those in another column, sighed, and crossedout the last few lines. The drow cum innkeep let the quill drop from her ink stained fingers andbegan rubbing her throbbing temples.

“I should be out looking for adventure, not here looking for balanced budgets,” the drowessgroused to herself. The noise of the Inn was loud today, the walls confining, and if that oldwoman screeched ‘Bring me more ale!’ one more time, Vix thought she’d shove a whole caskdown the crone’s gullet.

Amid all the shouts, laughter, scrapes of forks on plates, and clinking of glasses and mugs, Vixheard the light tread of someone small approaching her. The drowess lowered her hands to thetable and turned slightly in her seat to view whomever neared her. One snowy eyebrow raised asa small halfling girl Vix had not seen, nor heard from, in months drew to an uncomfortable stopnext to her.

“V-vix?” the girl stuttered, obviously ill at ease. Vix nodded once and grimaced at the halflingfemale in what she hoped looked like a smile. “I know you paid me to watch for anythingunusual in Darkmoor, and that I have not exactly been up to date on things,” the girl paused totake a deep breath, Vix only sat watching her. “But, something is happening you need to knowabout now.”

“What is it, Melina?” Vix asked, irritated that the only reason the little halfling likely came is totell a trivial event and ask for more stipend. For her part, Melina seemed to grow a bit bolderhearing the drowess’ annoyance at the interruption, and knowing that her erstwhile employerwould pay well for what she now brought.

“But, you know this particular prisoner,” Melina said slyly, hoping to draw out the tension andget a bigger reward. Vix only stared impassively at the diminutive halfling. Melina began tofidget again under the twin amethysts peering into her own eyes. “It .. it is that bard you spent somuch time with ...” she paused, playing her final card, “... Saminda.”

Vix only stared a moment longer at the girl, her eyes steady, her face still unreadable. Withdeliberation the drowess turned back to her ledger and began writing more figures. “Thank youfor informing me, Melina,” Vix mumbled, crossing out yet another set of numbers, “See Cookiefor a hot meal before you head back.”

“But, I thought this was good information,” the distressed halfling protested.

“It may have been more useful to me had you informed me of her imprisonment in the firstplace,” Vix replied, not taking her eyes off the scrawled figures before her. “But, I suppose youdo deserve something.” The drowess reached into her pouch and scattered a few golden coins onthe table. “Next time bring me timely information, information I care about.”

The stunned girl swiftly scooped up the coins and backed away before turning to head out thedoor, wondering why such news as she had brought would not rattle the drow. Vix waited untilshe heard the door to the Inn close, glanced up to make sure Melina had truly gone, and slammedthe partially completed ledger shut.

“Vith’oi!” she heatedly cursed, quickly gathering up the book, quill, and inkpot and headed upthe stairs to her room. She entered her room, closed the door, and spoke the words to activate thewards. The ledger was unceremoniously tossed onto the bed, along with the quills and ink, as Vixslid into the chair before the small writing desk. Deft fingers unlatched the secret compartmentunder the drawer, bypassing the trap, and pulled out a small book. Another word disabled themagical wards upon it, and Vix flipped it open and began writing a message within it using aspecial charcoal stick.

I trust this missive reaches you in time. A friend is in dire straits and I need your immediateassistance.

Vix waited, holding her breath and staring down at the page. A few long moments passed beforethe message cleared and a new one began to take its place. Air rushed out of Vix’s lungs in arelieved whoosh.

Who is in trouble?

Vix lowered her charcoal to the page and scribbled furiously. Though the halfling girl had nottold her, Vix knew quite well what the cause of the execution order was.

Saminda. She is to be executed at noon today. The charges are the murder of several Arcaviandungeon guards during a semi-successful rescue attempt. I will need any assistance you canprovide to avoid the execution.

Vix’s message lay on the enchanted paper a long time. The drowess began to chew her lower lipin worry. She presumed much to ask this favor of help, and well she knew it. Vix raised hercharcoal to write more, to plead if necessary, but the words faded before she could, and a newmessage formed.

I’ll see what I can do.

Vix nodded to herself, satisfied with the answer, and knowing it was more than she could hopefor. A swift symbol scrawled on the page erased the message and let the other writer know thecorrespondence was at an end. Vix reactivated the wards on the book as she closed it and securedit once again in the hidden drawer of the desk.

Her next step was to procure transport to Darkmoor. Normal ship travel would be to slow. A visitto the Mages’ Guild was in order. Knowing the fee was going to be steep, Vix collected asizeable amount of coin and dashed downstairs, pausing only long enough to grab her equipmentand reset the rooms wards, then she was out of the Inn and racing to the Magical Academy nextdoor.

The cloaked drowess strode the streets of Darkmoor on her way to the execution grounds,charmingly named Sundial Square by the Arcavians. The magical trip to the docks of Darkmoorplaced her fairly close to her destination both light headed and lighter in coin. Vix supposedAnat’s reasoning to place the square so close to the water was to allow the sea breezes to carrythe screams of the tortured and dying through the city so no one person would miss them. Notthat many did, however. Public executions were mandatory attendance in Arcavia.

Vix glanced up at the towering walls of Darkmoor Castle as she passed within their shadows,nearing her destination. Other than the usual posted guards, only two more figures were inevidence, both only partially seen between the crenelated parapet. The first was a tall female,lithe and sturdy, cloaked similarly to Vix. The second was only seen as a head peering over theedge, hooded as well. A halfling, Vix guessed.

With a swirl of her cloak, Vix stopped before an imposing Elite Guard. Her hooded eyes swiftlytook in the additions to the Square. Five more Elite Guards were posted keeping watch overseveral rag clad Shandrakkar prisoners. Several large devices of sturdy metal with attendantchains and manacles had been erected. The prisoners hung listlessly from these, parched tongueslolling from their animalistic wolf’s heads, glazed, half-lidded eyes staring out unknowingly. Itseemed Anat wished this batch of poor souls to suffer before they were slain by his headsman.

Saminda was not among the prisoners, which relieved and puzzled the drowess. A quick glanceat a newly erected sign confirmed the noon scheduling of the executions. Another glanceskyward informed Vix there were several long hours to go before the appointed time, though hereyes smarted painfully for her efforts. All this was done with a few brief moments. Vix glancedup at the towering guard and spoke before he became suspicious of her loitering wordlesslybefore him.

“Oh, how wonderful!’ the drowess said gaily. “I have yet to see these devices put to use.” Theguard only glared down at the drowess, his face unreadable beneath the black iron helm. Vixmade a show of peering about interestedly, thinking of what to do next.

“Lovely!” a familiar voice floated down to the drowess. “Got some time to go, though.” Mereado, Vix’s keen ears and strong memory told her. That accounts for the halfling she saw.

“Aye, t’is a righ’ good view,” chuckled another familiar voice in response. Vix smiled slightlyunder hood, giving silent sigh of relief. That accent could only belong to Faihwnyn ub Llwythain.Her presence could only be of help to any plan Vix could come up with. As if in response to herthoughts, a small pebble glanced off the drowess’ armor. Vix turned to look up at the castleparapet only to see Fai looking skyward and innocently whistling. Vix dropped her head andsmiled to herself under her cowl, knowing Fai was aware of her presence and listening.

She turned back to the guard, who was beginning to get that tense look usually preceding anorder to move along. Vix spoke as the guards breastplate heaved, indicating a breath beforespeaking.

“Excuse me,” she said, tilting her head up to allow ebony skin to show, and hoping the guardwould assume she was only here for the spectacle of the impending executions. “But, are theseall of your prisoners?”

The guard’s only reply was a thunderous snort echoing from inside his helm and an ungentleshove to move Vix back a step or two from the Square’s marked area, then shook his massivehead.

“I see,” Vix responded to the silent answer. “Can you direct me to where the others are beingheld?” The horned head bowed down to look at the drowess, glittering eyes the only featurediscernable past the monstrous helm.

“You will see the all the condemned at the execution, miss,” a voice made sepulchral from theecho inside the helm boomed out. “Are you a relative of one of them, citizen? What is yourinterest in the location of any others?”

“Nau,” Vix answered quickly, “Nor am I a citizen of Darkmoor. But I do have informationregarding one of your prisoners you may wish to hear.” She added quickly on impulse.

“I would suggest you give it to the Lieutenant,” the guard said in a more relaxed tone, seeming totake the drow’s word at face value. “He can be found at the barracks. You will have to locate thatyourself, I cannot do anything else while I am on this detail.”

“Bella’dos,” Vix dropped a small bow in thanks, glancing upwards to briefly catch Fai’s eyebefore moving on. A small nod in return was given before the tall woman moved away from thecrenelations. Vix nodded once more to the guard and made her way towards the barracks.

As Vix neared the barracks, both Mereado and Fai had caught up with her, exchanging quickgreetings. All three entered the barracks and walked to the hulking figure behind the desk.

“Greetings, can I do something for you?” the Lieutenant asked politely, unfolding his immenseframe from behind the small desk. Vix briefly wondered what Anat put in the city’s water supplyto grow all these fellows so large.

“Xas,” replied the drowess with equal politeness. “I have obtained knowledge that a certain oneof your citizens is being held prisoner. She is called Saminda.” The burly Lieutenant studied Vixa moment before answering.

“Yes, she is there in the cell,” he stated. “What is it you want with her?”

“I have personal reasons to see her brought to justice,” Vix answered with an evil smile. “I aminclined to provide you with any information about her you may require.” Vix sensed Fai stiffenslightly at her words, Mereado stood calmly and quietly.

“She will be going on trial shortly,” the huge man informed Vix. He seemed to study her amoment then continued, “As soon as the Vizier arrives. Do you care to wait so long?”

Mereado chuckled to herself, as Fai stepped forward.

“Wha's th' crim'nal charg'd wi'?” the lanky rogue asked. Vix suspected Fai knew quite well whatthis was about, as she had been present at Saminda’s first incarceration. Yet Fai was one to makesure she had the facts in order.

“She attacked and killed several guards downstairs in a fury to rescue some elf,” the Lieutenantreplied, turning to appraise Fai.

“I would assume, Fai, that it is for her botched attempt to release a legally detained prisoner fromthe dungeons,” Vix put in with a slight sneer, pointing to the short hall on their left. “Just overthere.”

“A most grievous loss to the guards of Arcavia,” the drowess consoled. “I am gladdened to knowshe has been caught and to be sentenced. Especially after ...” Vix stopped suddenly and onlysmiled. Fai’s concerned glance turned into a mischievous smile in return, hoping her drow friendwas not entirely serious in her words.

“You are welcome to stay and watch,” the Lieutenant told them. “I am sure the Vizier will behere any moment.”

As if on cue to his words, the heavy outer door opened and in strode another large and burly man,though clad in finer clothing and armor than the Lieutenant. His resemblance to both Baron Anatand his son Amir was noticeable to the drowess. His gaze swept the room, taking note of thethree women standing in front him and ignoring the respectful greeting Mereado gave him.

“What is going on, Lieutenant?” the Vizier barked his question. The Lieutenant seemed to stiffeninto a rigid stance, looking his superior in the eyes.

“They are just here as witnesses, sir,” came the quick reply. Vix suspected the Lieutenant waslikely supposed to keep the barracks clear of non-guards, let alone non-Arcavians. He alreadyshowed his lax demeanor in conversing with the three women about Saminda, even giving herlocation to them. A bored officer with a monotonous desk job, willing to talk to anyone. Vixchuckled inwardly thinking his friendliness and inattentiveness is probably how Samindaobtained access to the dungeons in the first place.

“Witnesses, hmmm?” Vizier Nefzen mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully and placing each ofthe three under his steely gaze. “Very well, but do not get in the way.” His words left no doubtanyone who disrupted him while here would find themselves looking out from one the cellsbelow.

“Of course not,” Vix smiled.

“Woulnae think o' it,” Fai said.

Mereado again stayed silent, though a cruel, small smile seemed to be playing about her lips.

The Vizier turned with a swirl of his cape and stalked through the doorway to stand arms reachaway from the caged door of a cell. Vix, Fai, and Mereado trailed along in his wake, moving tostand along the wall facing the cell. The Vizier snapped an order for the Lieutenant to standnearby.

A blue clad shape rose from the filthy, straw covered floor of the cell and moved to standdefiantly on the other side of the door. Though her clothes were torn and stained, and a fewbruises purpled her cheek, her eyes were bright and filled with fire. Those eyes passed over theLieutenant and Vizier, softened at the sight of Fai, then hardened slightly upon seeing Mereado,finally coming to rest with a baleful glare upon the drowess standing across from her. Vixallowed a cold, evil smile to steal across her ebony features and returned the stare, knowingSaminda had heard every word said in the entrance hall earlier.

“Tell me, citizen,” the Vizier began without preamble, his voice stern and even, “Why did youenter our prisons in the first place?”

“To rescue a friend of mine,” the bard shot back hotly.

“Rescue?” the Vizier questioned in mild surprise. “Hmm, and was it a success?”

“Eventually, yes,” Saminda replied with less fervor. “But I did not find him there, so it was amistake to enter the dungeons.” Vix knew there was more involved in what Saminda and theVizier spoke of, but kept her own counsel, hoping Saminda would realize her true intentionsbeyond any words she may speak.

“Do you know that four...” the Vizier paused, searching for a word and finding nothingappropriate, “...things are being executed soon for what you did? They too wanted to rescue their... friends. ”

“They are just as human as you and I on the inside,” Saminda growled in response. “Probablymore so than Anat.” She smirked at the Vizier, hoping to rattle him, as she had little to lose as itstood now.

“I do not think you are in the position to be saying anything about the Baron,” Vizier Nefzenreplied in a calm voice, yet his eyes gained a dangerous cast to them.

“Or what? You'll arrest me?” Saminda derisively laughed at the Vizier. The Lieutenant began toshout at Saminda’s impertinence, hoping to gain favor with the Vizier who only stood silent,allowing both the bard and his guard to settle down.

Fai took the moment to sign ‘What next?’ to Vix using a combination of thieves’ and drow silentspeech the two had worked out over the last few months. The tall woman’s face was smooth asglass, but her eyes held a suspicious glance, unsure of what her drow friend was really up to.

Vix knew Mereado might understand some of their cobbled silent code, so she answered backquickly and as vaguely as she dared. ‘I have to trust things set in motion before my arrival havebeen taken care of.’ The shouting of the Lieutenant stopped at an annoyed wave of the Vizier’shand.

“We already have done that,” the noble smiled at Saminda, showing no sign of irritation. “Nextwould be a sentence. And, you are not making it hard for me.”

“I think she’s trying to hang herself,” Mereado chuckled. “You know there are worse things thandeath, Sam?” The halfling’s grin widened. “You could end up in bed with Arcannus again.” Faisighed and shook her head. Saminda chuckled in spite of herself.

“Or me,” Vix hissed, her hand moving to touch the dagger at her belt.

“I was never in bed with you, Vix,” Saminda denied, shaking her head and smirking.

“Not for lack of trying,” Vix began, then stopped herself noticing the rigid posture of the Vizier.“But, we interrupt the good Vizier. My apologies, sir.” The drowess half bowed to the man whowas staring at them all, his mouth a thin line.

“Lieutenant, take her to the others,” the Vizier commanded, taking firm control of the situationagain, deciding his interview was at and end. “We will execute her with them at noon.”

Saminda sighed heavily at this, her shoulders slumped, the defiant fire fading from her eyes.

“No longer will you be a tool of Emerald Cys'varillo in this barony, Saminda,” Vix crowed, herlaughing eyes boring into Saminda’s. “I hope you savor the taste of defeat...” Vix’s voicedropped to a mocking sneer, “...mi'chev.”

“Farewell then, I won't be seeing you again,” the Vizier tossed at Saminda, turning to leave.

“I’m sure you will,” the condemned bard snarled, some of the fire creeping back into her eyes.The Vizier stopped of a sudden.

“Wait,” he said without turning to face any of those present. “Consider this your first assignment.See me afterwards for your payment.” Vix suspected whom was being addressed, and tried tocatch Fai’s eye.

“Only show me what you can do,” the Vizier replied, turning slightly to bestow a cold smile onSaminda before walking away.

“Sorry, Sam. But business is business,” Mereado shrugged casually. She turned to the Lieutenantpulling out a leather pouch, a look of sadistic glee on her face. “Guard, one to go in!”

“I do so hope Emerald gets wind of this,” Vix smirked, her eyes locked on Saminda and steppingup to the cage, blocking Mereado from entering. “I would love to see her face to see such astaunch supporter of hers go down .. or up.” The drowess mimicked a hanging.

“Excuse me,” came a rough voice from the Lieutenant, moving both Vix and Mereado aside tounlock the cell door. “I must bring her to the others now.” Vix stepped back, relieved the vilehalfling was not going to start her torture of Sam right then, but still at a loss of what to do.

“Oh, shame,” Mereado sarcastically pouted. The Lieutenant opened the door and roughly hauledan unresisting Saminda out by her arm. The halfling took the opportunity to draw a small bladedown the bard’s back, slitting the blue silk robes and leaving a long trail of oozing blood. “Forthe journey.”

Vix almost lashed out then, but knew now was not the time, and fervently hoped the plea for helpshe sent in her journey book was going to work. It had to, there would be so few options left if itdid not. The drowess reached a hand out to grasp Saminda’s elbow, hoping to give small squeezeof reassurance disguised as an attempt to get in one last jibe.

“I shall see you there Saminda,” Vix said mockingly pleasant, reaching for Saminda’s arm.”I doso hope they leave the hood off so you can watch my smile as the rope slowly chokes the life outof you.”

But, Saminda shrugged her arm away from Vix’s hand before she could do more than touch thetorn fabric of her sleeve. The drowess cursed, hoping Sam did not truly believe her words. Yetthe last few conversations between had been .. strained. And, Vix had not acknowledgedanything Sam had tried to talk to her about during those times.

Vix was startled to see Saminda suddenly squirm in the grasp of the burly Lieutenant. Her hopesrose, thinking Saminda was attempting to make her escape. Vix reached for her sword, hopingFai was ready to act. But Vix was stunned when Saminda only spat at the drowess’ feet, her handslipped numbly from the pommel of her sword. Sam thought it was all real. Vix was twisting aknife in her beloved’s heart with her guise of hatred. It took a moment for the pained drowess torealize both Mereado and the Lieutenant were looking at her oddly.

“Save your water,” Vix snarled, each word piercing as deeply into her own heart as she knewthey twisted in Saminda’s. Yet she had no choice but to continue if she wanted to be allowed asclose as possible to the bard in case her hoped for conclusion failed. “You'll need it should yousurvive the hanging and dangle in the sun.”

Fai only look aghast at Vix, still unsure of her drow friend’s motives, but trusting Vix enough toplay along. Mereado and the Lieutenant smiled appreciatively and continued dragging andprodding Saminda out of the barracks and into the dusty streets of Darkmoor to take her placeamong the executions.

Vix trailed along behind, an unwanted honor guard, crushed and scared for Saminda, desperatelytrying to think of a way to let Sam know she did not mean what she said, that she was looking fora way to get her out of this. Fai trudged alongside Vix, casting curious glances her way, butrefraining from speaking or using the code again. The damnable halfling walked directly behindSaminda, prodding her with her blade each time the bard slowed or stumbled.

Long minutes later, the group arrived at Sundial Square. The Lieutenant motioned for Fai andVix to move aside and stand along the perimeter, then roughly shoved Saminda past the two.Thinking her last chance to let Sam know her true intentions may be now, Vix leaned over andwhispered a few words which drew an amused chuckle from the guard and a confused glancefrom Saminda.

The burly Lieutenant drug Saminda to the center of the Square where yet another oversized manstood. This one was dressed all in black, a hood covering his face allowing only his burning eyesto be seen. Those eyes locked upon the blue clad bard and seemed to grin in pleasure, inanticipation, of snuffing the life from the graceful and beautiful young woman. Saminda staredback unwavering, yet her heart beat a pounding rhythm of fear, her back on fire from the manysmall cuts and wounds from Mereado's wicked blade. The halfling still followed a step behindthem, but had stopped her torment of Saminda upon reaching the Square.

"Executioner, we have another here," the Lieutenant roughly pushed Saminda towards anunoccupied restraining device. "Get on!" His bravado was in full force now, with the gatheringcrowds and the guards under his command watching him. Saminda stumbled away from hisshove, headfirst into the sturdy metal pillar. She straightened and turned slowly to face hertormenters. Blood dripped from a new cut below her right eye, the side most bruised and purpled.She stood straight, proud, unresisting as the Executioner slit the ropes binding hands andviolently yanked her arms over her head to attach the cruel, studded manacles over her wrists.

A hiss of pain escaped Saminda's lips as her back stretched, widening the gashes further andreopening several which had began to scab over. The Executioner pulled the chains tight, forcingthe agonized bard's arms upwards and outwards, the cruel studs lining the manacles inner sidesbiting brutally into her wrists. Her ravaged back was pressed up against the metal support columnwhich she quickly realized was rasped and jagged, abrading her skin and tearing the wounds onher back more with each slight movement.

Mereado stood silent, her eyes glittering malevolently as she intently watched Saminda'sstruggles on the rack. A moment passed after the Executioner stepped away, leaving the pantingbard to hang in pain. Saminda's eyes screwed tightly shut, the pain in her back flaring to aburning, stinging wave of agony. She tried to move away, but only scraped her raw and bleedingflesh more against the ragged support. The black-hearted halfling smiled slowly, a low chucklebubbling from her lips as the bard hissed and moaned from the pain. Mereado was quite pleasedher request to have the support heavily salted had been done.

Vix stood trembling in suppressed rage, her heart convulsing to see Saminda in such pain, suchagony. The drowess tensed, ready to take a step forward and strike the loathsome halfling down,to wipe that self satisfied smirk off the smooth, comely face hiding a miasma of evil. A cool handsuddenly was laid upon her own, which was once again gripping the hilt of her sword so tightly,the ebony skin across the knuckles had turned pearly gray.

"Nae luv," came a soft, calming whisper in her ear. "Dinnae go an' get ye'self killed. Poor Fai canno'do thi' alone." Vix took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to recall the uncaringattitude she was forced to show in her homeland to survive. A long moment passed before thedrowess relaxed her grip on the sword. A single gentle squeeze from Fai, and the tall rogue's ownhand let loose of Vix's, stepping back to the shadows of the castle wall.

"Fai? Vix?" came a querulous voice. Both turned to see a familiar pair walking up to them,casting uneasy glances to the display in the Square and back to the drowess and her companion.A handsome, silver haired woman, dressed in black garb walked protectively near a heavilyarmored man who was moving stiffly and uncertainly in the bright light.

"Vendui, Tris .. Razgril," Vix smiled, feeling better now that two more friends of Saminda hadarrived. Perhaps they were part of the help she requested, though the drowess hoped for muchmore than this if it were. Vix began to speak again, to let the two know what was transpiring, andinquire if they were indeed sent to help. But the dark elf was interrupted before she spoke bywords that cut across her soul like a knife.

"Tris, she's with them!" The words dripped venom and hate. All four turned to see Samindaglaring at Vix through pain rimmed eyes. "She offered to provide them with any information theyneeded."

"Who?" Tris asked, tears in her eyes, though she suspected the answer. Saminda did not give one,only continued her piercing glare at Vix. The silver haired woman turned to face the drowess, herown eyes raging in fury. Razgril stiffened with outrage, his armor creaking. Vix tensed to flee,unwilling to fight these two. They couldn't know the truth behind her actions, and Tris hadseveral reasons to believe Sam's words.

"You will pay for this, drow," Tris growled, her eyes flashing dangerously. Fai moved closer tothe pair, still unsure of Vix's motivations, but daring to trust her though the lanky rogue’s owninclination was to put a dagger between the drow's ribs each time more damning words camefrom her mouth. Vix held her ground, letting Tris move closer.

"Nau," the drowess replied calmly through the fear she felt. "I think not." Tris snarled and tookanother step forward, Razgril close behind. Vix waited until the two were standing next to her,wishing either of them knew the silent languages. The only way to warn them was by speaking.

"Trust me or not," Vix hissed is a soft whisper only the four of them could hopefully hear. "Forthe sake of Saminda do not act hastily until it is absolutely needed."

Tris stopped short, her eyes boring into Vix, uncertain of what to believe. Razgril reached amailed hand and placed it upon Tris' arm. The silver haired woman gave one final look of fury atthe drowess, but nodded once and stepped back to confer with Razgril. Vix released her breath,not aware she had been holding it, and glanced to Saminda as she moved back to shadows withFai. The bard had missed the near altercation as she was being teased and harassed by Mereado'ssharp tongue.

"I really should get my good outfit on," the halfling was saying, brandishing her wicked knife inSaminda;’s direction, "Or the easily washed one."

Several more spectators had arrived by this time, including more of those known to Vix as beingfriendly to Saminda. The drowess nudged Fai and nodded to the trio striding into the Square.

"Oh, hi Miaa," Saminda rasped as gaily as she could, ignoring the halfling.

"Ladies, do not enter the execution area," a guard warned the three women.

"By the hells!" gasped Chasity. "What has Saminda done?" The guard began moving towards thethree women as they stopped in front of Saminda.

"Just killed a number of guards, Chas," the bard casually said, gaining strength in seeing morepeople she knew, and gaining hope she would not die upon the cruel rack. Miaa only smiled andwinked at Saminda, Estara whistled softly in impressed shock. Saminda continued, "But theyattacked me first. No one seems to care about the details, though. "

"Move along. This is your final warning," the guard bellowed, forcing the three to step away andoutside of the marked Square. The trio stepped back into the crowds as a slight, yet imposingfigure stepped forward to confront the guard.

"Where is Anat?" came a voice used to commanding, a voice used to being obeyed. The guardlooked down at the woman haughtily before him, but said nothing.

"Did you try the castle?" Mereado called sarcastically from a few steps away, leaving off herharassment of Saminda in lieu of this new opportunity. Vix smiled to herself, relieved to see therecently reinstated Baroness and knowing her arrival meant a good chance Saminda could befreed without violence or bloodshed. This was indeed more help than she imagined. The drowesstook the opportunity to move closer to Saminda, and to keep the guards of the opinion she wason their side.

"Emerald is here to plead for Saminda's life," Vix mocked as she made her way closer. "Howinteresting."

"Shut up, Vix!" Saminda snapped, her eyes glaring at the drowess moving closer. A few othercries of 'Shut up, drow' echoed from the crowd along with a laugh or two. The guard glanced atVix once, then looked back down at Emerald, who had not removed her imperious gaze from thehulking brute before her.

"He is busy right now," the guard answered at length, polite yet firm. "He will attend theexecutions when it is time."

"I wish to speak to him ... now," Emerald narrowed her eyes and replied in tone indicating shewould not take another refusal or delay.

Tris, Razgril, and Fai had followed behind Vix and moved closer to the Square and Saminda. Asharp pain in her foot made Vix glance down. Tris was grinding her boot into the soft top of thedrowess' own specialized footwear. Razgril was gripping Vix's arm tightly.

"I had thought better of you, Vix," he growled coldly and released her arm. Tris gave one finaltwist of her foot then stepped back.

"Guard," Emerald was saying, annoyed at being put off by a mere lackey, "You will hold yourhand until I speak with Anat."

"Go to the castle, lady. Can you not see I am on a detail here?" the guard snapped. Whetherignorant of Emerald's rank, or uncaring, the Baroness was not about to be snubbed by the lout.

"I know what your job is," Emerald stated, a hint of threat now in her voice. "I am the Baronessof Hamptonshire. You WILL hold your hand until I speak with Anat." She took a bold stepforward, jabbing her slender finger into the guard's breastplate and actually backing him up a stepwith her intensity and aura of command. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Anat will be here before noon, and the bard won't die before noon," Mereado stepped near theBaroness angrily. "So relax." Emerald cast a single withering glance upon the halfling, markingher well, then turned her gaze back upon the foolish guard.

"Listen, I don't know or care who you are," the guard stated flatly, shifting his huge glowing axeslightly. "I've got a job to do. If you want to join these people, keep it up." The crowd grew silent,anxious in the warming morning for some sort of action.

"Are you threatening me?" Emerald's voice had dropped lower, less a question than a threat inreturn. "Perhaps you would care to take her place upon the chopping block?" She took anotherstep forward, forcing the guard back. He tightened his grip on his axe and the other guardsshifted uneasily.

Sam hung in her chains, quietly enduring the pain and discomfort, not daring to make a sound forfear of setting off a massive battle. Many in the crowd, on both sides, began readying spells andclearing weapons, preparing for the growing storm to break.

The Baroness of Hamptonshire, well aware that open warfare was on the verge of beginning inthe Square, turned stiffly away from the impertinent guard to face Saminda. Emerald hoped herabrupt ending of the conversation would be noticed by her supporters. In an example of thebaroness’ leadership, her people did follow her lead. Swords settled back into scabbards, daggersinto sheaths, unformed spells faded away. The Guards seeing the crowd quieting, reshoulderedtheir glowing axes and stood a bit more at ease, but still watchful. The tension in the Squaredropped, yet it was still much higher than minutes before.

Emerald looked upon Saminda hanging in the chains. The baroness’ face showed no expressionbelying her true emotions, a trait long practiced in her time leading Hamptonshire. Her voice,however, was soft and gentle as she addressed the bard.

“Sam,” Emerald said quietly in the almost now silent Square. “Tell me what happened?”Emerald’s consort, Elron stepped forward, his face not quite as calm as his wife’s.

“And, what have these people done?” he inquired, nodding towards the Shandrakkar.

“Well...” Saminda shrugged as best she could in her chains, wincing in pain from the motion.

“They tried to rescue their friends,” the guard who had been verbally sparring with Emeraldbroke in, trying to reinstate his dominance of the proceedings. “They broke into the dungeons,attacked and killed several guards.”

Emerald turned a cold glare back upon the guard. “I do not believe I was asking you guard,” shesaid evenly.

“And, I was not answering you!” the chastened guard spat harshly, ignored by all.

“Well,” Saminda began again, this time with out the accompanying shrug. “I broke into theirprisons last week to save Sion, and there were a great number of casualties. I suppose I deservethis.” She shot a quick glance over towards the silver haired Tris. “And I was alone.”

“Let Emerald handle this,” Vix hissed back. “Diplomacy is often a more viable tool than thesword. Besides, action of that sort may only provoke open war between the two baronies.” Miaalooked over to the two bickering women and hissed her own command for silence. Vix left ascathing glare on Tris, then turned back to listen to the conversation nearby, seeing a familiarflash of red among the crowd.

“How many, Sam?” Emerald asked softly, trying to formulate her defense of the bard based onthe answer she was to receive.

“A dozen or so,” Saminda stated flatly. Whispers sprang up in the crowd, a few low impressedwhistles were made at this statement. Hamptonshire and Arcavian citizens alike could not helpbut be impressed or incredulous at the number.

“It would have been easier to bargain for Sion, Saminda,” the baroness remonstrated, stillspeaking gently to her. Tears welled in Saminda’s eyes, she slumped back in her chains, andhung her head.

“I tried,” the chained bard whispered despondently.

Emerald nodded once and turned to confer with Elron and Miaa, the small group stepping awayfrom the chained bard. Saminda watched them move away, the look of hope she wore whenEmerald first appeared wavering at the edges.

A feminine figure clad in the dark robes of the Arcavian Mages Guild strode into the Square,stopping near the main guard. A heavy cowl hid her face in shadow, yet two gleaming eyes couldbe seen peering out at the scene around her. Her hooded head swung to study Saminda as shehung in the hot morning sun. Saminda’s eyes lit up in recognition of the figure.

“Oh, good,” Saminda cried. “You're the mage from the magic academy, aren’t you?” The cowledhead nodded once in reply, not speaking.

“Will you please tell these guards this was settled back then?” Saminda pleaded. “You were therewhen I was released after my first capture.” The hooded figure slowly shook her head in eitherdenial or refusal. Saminda’s face fell, a look of confusion and anger on it.

“Not likely to put her head in your place, is she?” Vix called out to Saminda, both to draw theattention of the guard off of the dark clad figure and onto herself and to let her know she was inthe crowds and nearby. Vix recognized the figure, too. It was Cherry Bernita, and she was stillusing Vix’s old cowl from the last time. The drowess did not wish for her to be found out as animposter now. It was going to be difficult enough saving Saminda.

The huge guard decided now was a good time to re-exert his slipping control of the situation. Hestepped near the seeming mage and puffed out his large chest.

“Would all those not being executed today step outside the square,” the guard bellowed, staringdirectly at Cherry. Vix sucked in her breath fearfully. “I don't want to.. get confused...” The guardchuckled.

Cherry stood her ground, acting as if she belonged, and ignored the guard. She crossed her armsand chuckled along with him, making a show of glaring at several onlookers who had strayed afew feet into the Square. The guard still stared directly at the fake adept.

“Do I need another piece of equipment for you, lady?” the guard snarled impatiently. Samindawent silent, watching the confrontation unfolding nearby. Vix was holding her breath, mumblingunder her breath for Cherry to just walk away. The crowd, unaware who the adept really was,looked on in confusion as to why a guard would threaten an adept.

“I think he wants you out of his way,” Mereado spat, looking at the adept oddly.

“I am a guard here, where have you been?” Cherry snarled back at him, her posture defiant. “Areyou new or something?”

The guard merely grabbed her arm in a viselike grip and propelled her out of the square and intothe crowd. Several people cheered, expecting a fight, but Cherry, not wanting to press her luck,only straightened her robes, turned an icy glare upon the guard and stalked off, pausing just longenough to toss an apologetic shrug to Saminda.

The guard then turned towards Emerald and those conferring with her. He repeated his request tomove outside the Square, earning him a glare from the baroness. But she motioned for the othersto step away, not wishing for this to escalate into a wild brawl, and deciding to bide her time andhold her tongue until Anat’s arrival.

The guard chuckled again as the baroness stepped back, then turned to stalk back to the middle ofthe Square. A flash of red and blue near Saminda made him pause. There were two morevibrantly clad females standing outside the Square behind the condemned bard. The guardshrugged. More people would not help the bard when the time came for the halfling to do herdeed.

The final two chapters are blank!!! I dunno how that could have happened. I am a sad drow.

I guess I can try to recap the rest of it.

Anat showed up. More bluster, threats, and cajoling ensued with political overtones. The specter of open war between the two baronies loomed over the entire exchange. Mereado again started in on small tortures of the chained bard, Saminda. Vix stood by, mostly silent, seething, but awaiting the most opportune moment to make a move.

That moment came scant minutes later as Sion, the semi-sorta-kinda-but-not undead elf lover of Saminda, materialized from the crowd and threw himself at Anat Nefzen, Baron of Arcavia. (Sion was not technically undead ... his body was dead, but animated by his own soul via soul gem secreted in his belt. It was an open secret heh).

In the ensuing chaos, Vix immediately moved to the rack and released Saminda from her bindings as Fai, Tris, Razril, and a couple others defended her and the bard. Darkmoor takes special pride in prisoner manacles and locks, and it took Vix long moments to pick them and bypass the magical wards built into each one without killing herself or Saminda in the process.

Emerald, Elron, and the other Hamptonshire politicos helped detain Sion and quell the riot surrounding the assassination attempt. Cherry Bernita and a mage whose name escapes me at the moment took charge of Saminda and spirited her away and out of Darkmoor. There was no opportunity for Saminda to speak to Vix , just time enough for her to gently stroke an ebon-hued cheek with a bloody hand before she was gone. Vix and the others were arrested.

Due to conflicting accounts and the general chaos, plus the miraculous fact no one was killed, and the sensitive political nature the entire debacle had turned into, the group was placed into a special holding cell deep inside the Magic Academy. Guards both physical and magical were placed.

Still with much suspicion of each other, the group worked together to distract the guards and temporarily disable the wards allowing Vix to escape the cell and retrieve their weapons and other small items confiscated. They had been left their armor and clothing in a political concession pending further adjudication of their conditions.

Vix disabled the guards and was passing the gear and weaponry through to her comrades of necessity when Anat, the Vizier, Mereado, and dozens of guards and mages entered to commence the official charges. There was a brief moment of confusion at the downed guards, broken wards, and a drow standing defiantly outside the supposedly impregnable cell now filled with armed and angry prisoners.

Inside the cell, the other half of the plan was hurriedly put into effect: a large, magical ruby, stolen fro mthe horde of a dragon-mage, was used to teleport the entire group out. The sheer amount of energies needed for this was demanding, and took several long moments to activate, depleting the gem in the process.

Anat and his retinue did not hesitate, but began to attack.

Vix resigned herself to her fate, satisfied Saminda was out of the reach of Anat and that several other friends would escape. Dropping into a battle-ready crouch, she awaited the oncoming rush of guards and magic, hoping to buy even a second more for those in the cell behind to escape.

She took several hard blows and a barrage of magical missiles before the dull red glow and keening wail behind her let her know the magic was activated. She smiled grimly as Anat himself swung his massive sword to remove her head from her shoulders.

At the last moment, Fai shot her arm out through the bars and gripped Vix's shoulder like an eagle's talon. Vix vanished along with the other, Anat's howl of rage following them through the magical vortex.

The story of how the small, disparate group fought their way out the depths of the fire-creature infested volcano they now found themselves in is another story. As are the following years of having a death warrant on her head from not only all drow houses, but now Darkmoor. And how Vix eventually conned anat into removing the warrant in lieu of her becoming a spy in his employ, and how she became the wife of Razgril Kelethen, the former vampire now Commander of the Arcavian armies, a gave birth to two children, then was later lost to the Shadow Realm in a secret bargain made to save the lives of her unborn children years earlier.